IF Fly rule

Question
Hi Scott...

Thanks for your quick response on my previous Interference question.  We had another call last weekend at a showcase tournament that I think went the wrong way.  Might be a HTBT play, but I'll ask anyway.  

We had runners on 1B & 2B with one out.  Batter hits a soft pop-up that ends up behind the pitcher, just outside the circle.  F6 was playing deep and charged on the ball.  It hit her glove but she wasn't able to hold on.  Our runners obviously had to hold, and were easily doubled up on 3B and 2B to end the inning.

We asked why there was no IFF called, and the answer was the catch required more than ordinary effort BY THE SS.  Quite honestly, both F3 and F5 had easier plays on the ball, but F6 called them both off and attempted the catch.   Both umpires were adamant that the effort required by the SS was the reason the IFF was not called.  

I realize that the ball was a little bit of a 'tweener'...but I felt that having our two runners doubled up is exactly the situation that the IFF rule is designed to prevent.  If not, then why would I not have my SS attempt to field EVERY infield fly #with runners on#, and have F4 and F5 cover their respective bases.  Then if there is no IFF call, she can mis-play the ball, and get a pretty certain DP.

Was their ruling correct?

Thanks!

Answer
Hi Ron,

Thank you for your question.  You're welcome for my quick response to your previous interference question!

Your infield fly play IS a tough call to make from my armchair.  Reminder: the infield fly call is always a judgment call by the umpires, and it would be easier to make a ruling if I had been there, but I do believe that I can make a ruling on your play based on your description.

When I read that the infield fly ended up behind the pitcher, which is in no man's land, a 'tweener as you say, and was attempted to be caught by a CHARGING infielder, I had to side with the umpires who didn't call "infield fly, batter out," as it didn't seem that the batted ball could have been caught with ordinary effort.  As an umpire, I'm looking for an infield fly that can be camped under and caught by an infielder with ease.  I must say, though, that it is too bad that you came out on the short end of the stick on this play.

In the future, you COULD have your shortstop attempt to field every infield fly.  But that strategy wouldn't affect me as an umpire, because I call the infield fly at its apex, and the batter out, when I think that the infield fly will be caught by one of the six infielders with ordinary effort.  I don't think about or care who will try to catch it, or not catch it.

Scott Kelly